Feb 22 β€’ 01:53 UTC πŸ‡°πŸ‡· Korea Hankyoreh (KR)

Formation of Supporters Group for Korea and North Korea Team for 2026 Asian Cup Women's Football in Australia

A supporters group has been formed by Korean expatriates in Australia to cheer for the women's football teams of South Korea and North Korea during the upcoming 2026 Asian Cup in Australia.

A supporters group, named the '2026 AFC Asian Cup Women’s Football Australian Expatriate Supporters Group', has been established by Korean expatriates in Australia to cheer for both South Korea and North Korea women's football teams during the Asian Cup scheduled from March 1 to 21. This initiative aims to create a small breakthrough in the strained inter-Korean relations, with various expatriate organizations pooling resources and efforts together. The activities will include providing a supportive atmosphere for the teams, showcasing their dedication in international sports.

The head of the supporters group, Han Jeong-tae, a city councilor in Sydney, has expressed the desire to support women's athletes irrespective of political issues. He emphasized the importance of solidarity and encouragement from a shared ethnic background for players, especially since they might not have as many supporters abroad. In conjunction with this, he hopes to use this platform to instill values of sportsmanship and cooperation in the younger generation, showing them the significance of collective support in international events.

Park Eun-deok, a lawyer and president of the Australian Council of the Democratic Peace Unification Advisory Council, supports the initiative as an advisory member of the supporters group. He mentions that despite the traditionally frozen relations between the two Koreas, sports can serve as a bridge for dialogue and hope. Park supports both teams and is actively working to include participation from other ethnic groups in the activities, aiming to foster wider solidarity and community support around the event.

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